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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: EnviStats India 2024 Report and its highlights
Why in the News?
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts” Report.
What is the EnviStats India 2024 Report?
- The EnviStats India 2024 Report, released by the MoSPI, is the 7th consecutive publication.
- It compiles environmental-economic accounts based on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Framework.
- This framework provides a global standard for integrating environmental data with economic statistics, offering insights into the country’s natural resources, ecosystems, and environmental sustainability efforts.
Key Highlights:
| Details | |
| Protected Areas (SDG 13 & SDG 15) | – 72% increase in the number of Protected Areas (2000-2023) – 16% increase in the area of Protected Areas, reflecting biodiversity conservation efforts. |
| Mangrove Cover (SDG 13 & SDG 15) | – 8% increase in mangrove cover (2013-2021), highlighting positive growth in coastal ecosystem protection. |
| Ocean Accounts (SDG 14: Life below Water) | – Introduced for the first time, covering the extent and condition of ocean ecosystems. |
| Energy Use & Physical Asset Accounts (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy & SDG 13: Climate Action) | – Includes Physical Asset Accounts and Physical Supply and Use Tables for Energy, aligned with SEEA-Energy Framework, and data from ministries like Coal and Petroleum. |
| Soil Nutrient Index (SDG 2: Zero Hunger) | – Updated data on Soil Nutrient Index based on the Soil Health Card 2023-24, reflecting soil health and agricultural sustainability. |
| Biodiversity & Species Richness (SDG 15: Life on Land) | – Data on faunal and floral diversity, including endangered species like Leopards and Snow leopards, connecting to biodiversity conservation. |
Policy Recommendations
The EnviStats India 2024 Report suggests several policy directions based on its findings:
- Biodiversity Protection: Strengthen community-led conservation and expand protection of critical ecosystems.
- Ocean Ecosystem Management: Use Ocean Accounts for sustainable marine resource management and pollution control.
- Soil Health: Encourage sustainable farming practices and better soil management, leveraging Soil Health Cards for improved productivity.
- Integrated Planning: Focus on species conservation, habitat restoration, and genetic conservation through data-driven planning.
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